The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-11-12
Select STORY.
THE GENTLEMAN BEGGAR

THE GENTLEMAN BEGGAR
One morning, many years ago, called
by appointment on Mr.. John Balance. the
fashionable pawnbroker, to accompany him
to Liverpool in pursuit for Levanting
customer-for Balance, in addition to
pawning, does a little business in the 40
per cent. line 1t rained in torrents when
the cab stopped at the passage which leads
past the pawning boxes to his private door.
The cabmau rang twice, and at length Bal
ance appeared, looming through the mist
and rain in the entry, Illuminated by his
perpetual cigar. As l eyed him rather
impatiently, remembering that trains wait
for no man, something like hairy dog Or
bundle of rags rose up at his feet and barred
his passage for a moment. Then Balance
cried out with an exclamation, in answer
apparently to something could not hear.
''What, man alive slept in the passage!
There, take that and get some breakfast,
for heavens saker' So saying, he jumped
into the hanson and we bowled away at
ten miles an hour, just catching the express
as the doors of the station were closing
My curiosity was full set; for although Bal
anoe can be free with his money, it is not
exactly to beggars that his generosity is
usually displayed; so when comfortably en-
sconsed in a coupe, | finished with:
"You are liberal with your money this
morning; pray, how often do you give silver
to street cadgers? Because | shall know
what walk to take when fats and sharps
leave off buying law"
Balance, who would have made an excel
lent parson if he had not been bred to
case-hardenlng trade, and has still a soft
bit left in his heart that is always lighting
with his hard heart, did not smile at all,
but looked as if squeezing lemon into his
Saturday nights punch. He answered
slowly; ga cadger-yes, beggar-a mis-
cradle wretch he is now; but let me tell you,
Master David, that that miserable bundle
of rags was born and bred gentleman; the
son of uobleman, the husband of an hei-
ress, and has sat and dined at tables where
you and |, Master David, are only allowed
to view the plate by favor of the butler.
| have lent him thousands and been well
paid. The last thing 1 had from him was
his court suit, and l hold now his bill for
91OO, that will be paid, | expect, when he
dies"
"Why, what nonsense you are talking
You must be dreaming this morning.
However, we are alone; I'll light weed,
in defiance of railway law; you shall spin
that yarn, for, true or untrue, it will fill up
the time to Liverpool.
GAS for yarn" replied Balance, "the
whole story is short enough; and as for
truth, that you may easily find out if you
like to take the trouble. thought the
poor wretch was Dead and own it put
he out meeting him this morning, for had
curious dream last night,
"Oh, hang your dreams Tell us about
this gentleman beggar that bleeds you of
half.crowns-that melts the heart even of
a pawnbroker."
"Well, then, that beggar is the illegiti-
mate son of the late Marquis of Hoopbor-
ough by Spanish lady of rank. He re-
ceived frst-rate education and was brought
up in his fathers house. AT very early
age he obtained an appointment in public
Office, and was presented by the marquis
at court and received into the first society,
where his handsome person and agreeable
manner, made him great favorite. Soon
after coming of age be married the daugh-
ter of Sir L. Bumber, who brought him a
very handsome fortune, which vas strictly
settled on herself They lived in splendid
style, kept several carriages, a house in
town and place in the country. For some
reason or other, idleness, or to please his
lady's pride, he resigned his appointment.
His father died and left him nothing; in
deed, he seemed at that time very hand
somely provided for.
every soon Mr.. and Mrs. Molinos Fitz
Roy began to disagree, She was cold, cor
rect-he was hot and random. He was
quite dependent on her, and she made him
feel it. When he began to get into debt
he came to me. At length some shocking
quarrel occurred; some case Of jealousy on
the wifes side, not without reason, | be-
lieve, and the end of it was Mr. Fitz Roy
was turned out of doors. The house was
his wife's, the furniture was his wlfe's, and
the fortune was his wife's-he was, In fact,
her pensioner. He left with a few hundred
pounds ready money and some personal
jewelry and went to hotel Onthese and
credit he lived Being illegitimate, he had
no relations; being fool, when he spent
his money he lost his friends. The world
took his wifes part, when they found she
had the fortune, and the only parties who
interfered were her relatives, who did Their
best to make the quarrel incurable. Tc
crown all, one night he was run over by Q
cab was carried to hospital and lay there
for months, and was, during several weeks
of the time, unconscious. A message tC
the wife, by the hands of one of his de
bauched companions, sent by humane
surgeon, obtained an intimation that "if he
died, Mr., Cloak, the undertaken to the fam
ily, had orders to see to the funeral, anC
that Mrs. Molinos was on the point o.
: starting for the continent, not to return fol
some years. When Fitz Roy was dis
charged he came to me limping on two
sticks, to pawn his court suit, and told mt
his story. was really sorry for the fellow
J such a handsome, thoroughbred looking
: man. He was going then into the ives
somewhere, to try to hunt out friend
'sWhat to do, Balance" he said, 81 dom
know. / can't dig, and unless somebody
viii make me their gamekeeper | mus